Audio 4:09
Funding shortfalls for students with disability

Lindy KerinUpdated
Sat 5 Apr 2014, 10:05 AM AEDT

Independent schools say students with disabilities are missing out under the new model of schools funding. The Association of Independent Schools NSW is calling on the Federal Government to address what it says are serious inequalities that are putting programs for students with special needs at risk.

Transcript

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Independent schools say students with disabilities are missing out on funding and are at risk of being left behind.

The Association of Independent Schools New South Wales is calling on the Federal Government to change its model of funding.

It warns the shortage of funds is putting programs for students with special needs at risk of collapse.

STUDENT: I love doing it, because I love being able to talk to people and help them by taking their order and making sure they have what they would like.

LINDY KERIN: It's part of a program that's been running for the past 20 years for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

The programs co-ordinator is Cathee McCallum.

CATHEE MCCALLUM: We have currently 24 girls in the program, and every girl has some individual goals that we're working towards to help her be the best she can be, and really so that beyond school, she has choices and options in life, 'cause that's what it's all about.

LINDY KERIN: The program covers numeracy and literacy but also has an in-house program to teach life skills.

CATHEE MCCALLUM: It's just great for the girls to be in a school that's got wonderful opportunities and great role models.

He says it's an important part of the school, but under the new model of schools funding the program has lost significant money.

PAUL BURGIS: At the moment, we receive about $5,000 in total federal funding to support the program. We used to get some extra literacy and numeracy support, which was more than that - up in the $20,000 to $30,000 range - but that has ceased.

Officially from the Government, they say that all independent schools will receive 3 per cent loading each year and that should include any of the other literacy and numeracy costs. Under the old regime we would be receiving a different amount each year, but there was no time when it was less than five to 6 per cent.

LINDY KERIN: Does that make it more difficult to run then, with limited funding?

PAUL BURGIS: Look, I'm not so much worried about PLC Sydney. We're committed to it, our parent body is committed to it, and we're fine. So my primary purpose is not about this school. But I know there's a lot of church schools and independent Christian schools - I'm sure there's Jewish and Islamic schools as well - that are seeking to run programs for their communities, and I think at the moment they are very difficult to afford.

LINDY KERIN: The Association of Independent Schools in New South Wales has serious concerns about the funding model.

In its submission to the Senate Committee on Schools Funding, it said the arrangements for students with disabilities must be changed.

The group's spokesman is Geoff Newcombe.

GEOFF NEWCOMBE: It really starts with the Gonski Report. And that report recommended that a student with a disability attract the same level of government support, irrespective of the school that student goes to. And of course, as that Gonksi model has developed over the last few years, that's been completely discarded.

LINDY KERIN: Geoff Newcombe says students with disabilities are missing out, and he's urging the Federal Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, to address what he says are serious inequalities.

GEOFF NEWCOMBE: We've got about 450 schools, and I'd say at least 100 independent schools are going to receive no money for children with disability within the school - none at all, no government funding. So they're affected completely. And then we would have a large number, the majority of them will receive less for students with disability than they were receiving under the previous model.

LINDY KERIN: A spokesman for Minister Pyne says better support for students with disability was a key election commitment.

He says the Government has written to all key stakeholders about a review of legislation, indexation and funding loadings, and consultations are due to begin in June.